Watering Houseplants the Right Way

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Hi everyone,

Knowing how to water houseplants may sound simple, however this is the #1 reason that your plants may die. In this blog we’ll talk through a few steps you can take to see your green friends thrive and eliminate the guessing game.

Listen To Your Plants

Watering your plants on a schedule may be doing more harm than good. Yes, for some plants watering weekly may be working. However there are many factors such as pot size, rate of growth and light intensity that will change the frequency of watering. As well as this, different plants also require different care. Over time, as you become more familiar with a certain plant, you’ll get to know what works and what doesn’t. So, stay away from the schedule and let your plants do the talking.

One of the most reliable ways to know when your plant needs watering is to stick your finger about an inch into the soil. If it’s dry then it’s time to break out the old watering can!

If you’re still unsure about whether you’re watering too much or too little, you can find out here or contact me directly.

Bottom Watering

One of the most beneficial things I ever learnt when it comes to plant care is bottom watering. This eliminated any problems that I had with overwatering by letting my plants take in what they need. For this, you’ll need to keep your plant in a nursery pot so that the soil can wick up the water through the drainage holes.

Remember, it’s the soil that draws up the water, not the roots!

You will then need to fill up your decorative plant pot or a different bowl about a ¼ of the way up with water and place your green friend in for a nice soak.

As mentioned before, the best part about bottom watering is that your plants will do the work for you. The soil will absorb the moisture that it needs and all you need to do is wait until the top layer of soil is damp. This ensures that the soil is thoroughly saturated and reduces the chances of overwatering.

The only issue with watering your plants from the top is that there may be dry patches within the soil even though it looks wet from the top. Bottom watering makes sure that all of the soil is evenly watered!

Make Other Adjustments

• Light - Place your green friend in a bright enough spot. Not having enough light may mean that water is held in the roots for too long, leading to root-rot.

• Temperature - Plants love to be warm, but not too warm. As long as you’re comfortable, your plant will also be. Too much heat will dry the soil out, however too little may result in yellowing leaves.

Knowing when to water your houseplants requires experience. The more you do it the better you’ll get at caring for your indoor jungle. If you’re a new plant parent, try caring for plants that are tough to kill. Once you’ve mastered the basics and feel more confident you can try taking on plants that are more challenging and improve on your skills.

So, here are some ideas you might want to take on board:

• Get rid of the schedule

• Listen to your plants

• Try bottom watering

• Find a comfortable temperature and light level - this will make watering so much easier!

Have a great week!

Harris